Picture Book Playlist: noun. A list of picture books hand-selected and reviewed by picture book fanatic and author Danna Smith to be read to and enjoyed by kids of all ages, anytime, anywhere. What's on your playlist?

Spring Books to Celebrate the Season

Spring has sprung and with it comes an opportunity to read books about nature- out in nature. In honor of my favorite season, I have put together a mixed tape of some of my favorite books on the subject (in no particular order). This collection includes new hits as well as oldies but goodies. So, grab your picnic basket, spread a blanket under a blossoming tree, and let’s get started!

Weeds Find a Way

by Cindy Jenson-Elliott

illustrated by Carolyn Fisher

Beach Lane Books/ February 2014

Ages 4-8

Anyone who says weeds are a nuisance might change their mind after reading this book! Readers will find that weeds are survivors and offer beauty and color in the most unlikely of places. Before I opened the book, I was intrigued by the playful art on the cover and I was hooked the minute I started reading. The lyrical language, “Weeds send their seeds into the world in wondrous ways: fluffing up like feathers and floating away on the wind; swirled into prickly burrs that stick to socks and fur” is just lovely. Add to that the bold, child-friendly illustrations and this book is one of my favorite books for spring (or anytime).

Four pages at the back of the book offer interesting information on common weeds you might find in your area. You won’t want to miss this one, Weeds Find a Way will have you seeing weeds in a whole new light!

And Then it’s Spring

by Julie Fogliano

Illustrated by Erin E. Stead

Roaring Brook Press/ February 2012

Ages 4-7

I love a good lyrical book and what a lovely, poetic look at spring this is! As it happens, waiting for spring takes patience, “First you have brown, all around there’s brown. And then there are seeds. And a wish for rain. And it is still brown, but a hopeful, very possible sort of brown.”

Stead’s woodblock and pencil illustrations are a perfect match for the text making this a beautiful duet. Readers will enjoy waiting and watching for signs of spring and then bask in its glory when it finally arrives!

I highly recommend this book and I’m pretty sure it will put a spring in your step!

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt

by Kate Messner

illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

Chronical Books/ March 2015

Ages 5-8

From the award-winning team of Over and Under the Pond and Over and Under the Snow comes this new addition which introduces readers to a garden full of blooms above the ground and the wonderous creatures that are hard at work beneath the ground. I especially like the relationship between the little girl and her grandmother.

Neal’s illustrations are spot on and detailed with contrasting light between the garden and the underground scenes.

The wonders of nature and beautiful language combine to make this a good choice for your spring book playlist.

Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson

by Christie Matheson

Greenwillow Books/January 2017

From the author of interactive books, Tap the Magic Tree and Touch the Brightest Star, comes the latest addition, Plant the Tiny Seed.With colorful illustrations and gentle prompts, the reader presses, claps and taps his or her way through the book, planting a seed and watching beautiful flowers grow. This book is as magical as spring itself!

In the Trees Honey Bees

by Lori Mortensen

illustrated by Cris Arbo

Dawn Publications /October 2013

Ages 4-8

This is the go-to book on honey bees. While the sparse rhyming language will appeal to young audiences, the informational sidebars give added depth on the subject for older readers. Readers are sure to spend time pouring over Arbo’s up-close images from pollen dusted bees to the intricate honeycomb.

The back of the book offers more information on bees. Plus, Mortensen has not one, but ten activity guides designed to work with the book on her website which gives parents and teachers oodles of opportunities to teach children about the life cycle of the amazing honey bee and their importance to the world.